Head of Development Germany

About Vantage Data Centers

Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world’s well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

Location: Frankfurt - hybrid
 

Vantage is looking for a detail-oriented Head of Development Germany to figurehead and drive the development of both new and existing data center campuses. You will assist the C-Suite and SVP of Development in managing a portfolio of assets  from exclusivity to stabilisation.  

This position is responsible for a single key function in the Vantage Development organisation, namely, to drive controlled real estate, existing real estate, and data centers associated with mergers and acquisitions in delivery and betterment of underwriting targets.

This position will provide strategic  End to End oversight of Business Objectives, Business Case Metrics and Outcomes alongside tracking and delivery of Stabilised Assets, through the Vantage development lifecycle.

This position owns underwriting inputs and outcomes and the dissemination of underwriting KPIs across stakeholders and functions, creating a collective focus on the Vantage development cycle, milestone, reporting and metrics to achieve stabilised assets.
 

This position requires demonstrable cross functional leadership, focusing subject matter experts, internal and external stakeholders to design, deliver and operate new facilities that will maintain and enhance Vantage’s product and service offering.  Collaboration and integration in the sales lifecycle process including client interface is integral to the role as well.
 

Essential Job Functions & Duties
 

Strategic Planning:

• Figurehead for Development of stabilised asset on behalf of SLT, drawing together and leading critical pod functions of development, design, delivery and operations in singular pursuit of maximal outcomes.

• Safeguarding of business objectives, business case metrics and route to stabilisation across Vantage Development Lifecycle (input from market strategy and exclusivity through to stabilisation)

• Direct reporting to Senior Leadership Team updating development and underwriting deliverables  whilst maintaining multiple ways to win through analysis, strategic planning and coordinated reporting

• Focal point for development strategy, drawing together stakeholder strategies into a cohesive direction to deliver underwriting targets, realigning and amending to maintain targets throughout the lifecycle.

• Lead all aspects of development, enabling, coordinating and drawing on key stakeholder contribution and subject matter experts alike into play in pursuit of business objectives and business case metrics, culminating in a stabilised asset.  

Leadership & Collaboration

• Provide thought and team leadership, while being accountable for team results on all key deliverables.

• Coordination with internal and external stakeholders to drive a collective outcome – achievement of underwriting requirements

• Recruit, train and mentor development team and lead adherence to development lifecycle across developments

• Foster and drive evaluation of new technology and  techniques associated with development lifecycle to gain an edge on speed to market.

• Drive Involvement in data center development community to gain valuable knowledge of best practice, new trends and industry standards.
   

Risk, Budget and Schedule Management

• Drive scope, schedule, and budget decisions to conclusion leading internal and external resources, project teams, contractors and vendor alignment throughout.

• Drive alignment and assessment of risk to budget, schedule and scope across functional analysis of underwriting inputs and outcomes

• Ensure lessons learned are held and placed in the feedback loop to drive continuous improvement

• Ensure regular reporting of all developments  (risks, schedule, quality and budget) to management, balancing underwriting outcomes with change requirements at development and business critical milestones

• Identify, assess and mitigate potential, near, mid and long term risks associated with development in your region, driving knowledge share across the portfolio for the betterment of Vantage
   

Procedure Development

• Develop, refine and implement processes and policies, where betterment and improvement can be derived via new  practices, comparison and ultimately green lighting deployment and actualization of underwriting deliverables

• Understand business strategies to align product development and innovation to drive success

• Manage “Employee Think Tank” to ensure employees have their ideas heard and acted upon

• Stay abreast of new technologies and opportunities to innovate using concepts from within and outside of the data center industry.

Stakeholder Management

• Consultant/Vendor/Contractor qualification, network management/expansion, new technology evaluation for use on current product line and future product development opportunities.

• Coordinate with site operations to define project requirements alongside canvassing input for operability

• Coordinate with delivery to enable accurate, scope, budget, schedule, risk and execution inputs throughout development lifecycle

• Coordinate with sales and marketing to provide technical support wherever needed alongside underwriting inputs and deliverables

• Assist sales and solutions engineering to deliver multiple ways to win with customer compliance and optionality

• Assisting the Site Acquisition Team in identifying and selecting new sites in existing and new markets in line with platform strategies, including, wherever possible, in negotiation and acquisition of new sites.

• Assist design team in pursuit of optimum viable product, whilst maximizing returns and customer satisfaction.

• Assist operations team to deliver and maintain an excellent customer experience and drive NOI as a key metric

• Assist energy team in delivery of creative energy solutions with optionality to achieve power on dates and optimised development returns

• Assist Capital Market teams in readiness for funding allocation and stabilisation of assets

• Assist Legal team with validation of contractual, commercial and technical positions prior to signature of business critical documentation

• Assist Procurement in the development of short, medium and long term supply chain strategies

• Assist Finance and Commercial teams in the validation and evaluation of commercial positions across the development lifecycle, leading the execution of commercial strategies

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Experience working in Development or Asset Management

• Construction and Project Management experience, is preferred

• Bachelor of Science degree in construction is preferred

• Construction industry experience is required

• Data Center experience is preferred

• Strong IT skills; ability to use multiple communication tools and packages, Advanced Excel knowledge essential.

• Excellent analytical skills with understanding of real estate finance and discounted cash flow analysis.

• Demonstrably strong negotiation skills.

• Ability to balance strategic thinking with tactical needs.

• Creative thinker and demonstrated ability to champion innovation.

• Demonstrated ability to lead cross functional teams.

• Excellent relationship building skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative manner.

• Excellent verbal and written comprehension skills.

• Ability to analyze complex business concepts and documents.

• Ability to effectively respond to sensitive issues, complex inquiries or complaints.

• Ability to make effective presentations on general topics.

• Ability to effectively communicate with C-Suite and Investor level stakeholders

• Provide a high-level of commitment to customer service with co-workers and stakeholders.

• Skilled at solving problems and dealing with a variety of options with limited information.

• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills at all levels of the organization and with other stakeholders and third parties such as suppliers.

• Able to work under pressure.

• Flexible, adaptable and self-directed; able to work in a variety of circumstances; eg: remotely, while travelling, across multiple time zones, cross functionally, by project, etc.

• Must be able to demonstrate an excellent understanding of the commercial metrics which drive a successful development.

• Successful candidate must be a team player able to work with a variety of people.

• This position requires an organized individual with the capacity to handle multiple projects simultaneously, work well under pressure, and to prioritize work effort, all with minimal supervision.

• National and international travel will be required on a regular basis.

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We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other’s strengths and respecting each other’s weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.

Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.

Don't meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values.

Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Vantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.